Hildebrandt’s in Williston Park

With so many new restaurants popping up across Long Island, it’s easy to forget those restaurants with a rich history of serving Long Islanders for nearly a century. Hildebrandt’s in Williston Park is one such restaurant that has served many generations of families and their commitment to serving quality food and reasonable prices cannot be overlooked.

Since 1927 Hildebrandt’s has carved out their own niche on Hillside Avenue. They don’t advertise and you won’t see any coupons on those discount sites that are all too common these days, but come lunch and dinnertime, there’s always a solid crowd at the counter and in the dining room enjoying their sandwiches, burgers, desserts and drinks. A solid reputation and feverish word-of-mouth has solidified their place as a favorite on the north shore of Long Island.

Their menu, much to our surprise, was dominated by a full offering of pastas, chicken specials and other full-service restaurant items. Walking in, we expected a luncheonette that focuses only on their homemade ice creams, ice cream sodas and various other desserts, but we were pleased to see their kitchen in full swing as well.

Not much has changed on the interior since their inception back in the early 1900’s. The restaurant is still family owned (not the original family, but now by sisters Joanne and Susan Strano and Susan’s husband Bryan Acosta) and is a family affair all the way. Susan and Bryan’s son and daughter were at the restaurant on the day of our visit, with their son manning tables along with the rest of the staff.

The desserts really shine here. The ice cream sodas, sundaes, lime rickey’s, sidecar and other homemade concoctions are the best reason to stop by, especially in these summer months. The old-school soda jerks are still in use and the waiters behind the counter are continually scooping out ice cream and making any of those desserts that they are famous for.

Stop on by to Hildebrandt’s if you’re looking for any alternative to those chain restaurants and new additions to Long Island, or if you’re looking to relive the luncheonette experience of yesteryear. This north shore favorite has a counter seat calling your name.